low energy environment rhone delta

• rhone flows into the med in south france. largest distributary is the grand rhone
• has formed over the last 7000 years since sea level rise since end of last ice age. in nineteenth century mouth of grand rhone changed position due to human management.
• a lobate shaped delta due to being dominated by waves
• enclosed shape of Mediterranean means that fetch distances are short
• high levels of sediment accumulation from river deposition has created a gently sloping landscape
• deposition was estimated at 17 million m3/year in 1099 and river flow varies seasonally with it usually being 1500 m3/sec
• amount of material carried fell in 20th century as river was managed to prevent flooding
• waves mainly come from SW with heights of 0.5 to 1m. waves form SSE are less frequent but around 2m
• split into 4 sediment cells with cell 1 being do,ianted by SW-NE LSD which formed Gracieuse spit, cell 3 has converging LSD currents which led to formations of onshore bars
• coastal beaches are narrow with low dunes behind them, behind dunes are brackish ponds
• climate change with have an impact as rise in sea level of 2m/year since 1950 will lead to more flooding and increased storms will lead to more erosion. sediment input from rivers has led to a change in the relationship between sediment inputs and outputs, rates of coastal retreat between 2-8m. euro 15 million spent on coastal protection including groynes and rip rap